....

Biker Trash Network is the #1 news source for the outlaw biker worldwide

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Rebels MC: Several members plead guilty to crimes

Christchurch, South Island, NZ (March 12, 2018) BTN — Four
members of the Rebels motorcycle club have admitted being members of an
organised criminal group that was dealing methamphetamine and cannabis in
Christchurch.

Raids on the clubs's headquarters in Vagues Rd, Papanui, in
2016, found firearms, 38 grams of methamphetamine, 300g of cannabis, and
$35,000, Crown prosecutor Claire Boshier told the Christchurch District Court
as the group pleaded guilty on Tuesday.

"The Rebels motorcycle gang had as one of their
objectives to deal in drugs, notably methamphetamine and cannabis, for
profit," she said.

Judge Tom Gilbert set sentencing for June 27 and ordered
home detention assessments for three who are on bail: Baden Kenneth Clunie, 25,
Apirana Ropata Ngata, 23, and a 45-year-old man who has interim name
suppression.

A fourth man, Mark Allan Powhiro, 32, is already being held
in custody and no home detention report was called for. All have admitted participating in an organised criminal
group. Clunie also admitted offering to supply methamphetamine and cannabis.
The man with name suppression also admitted offering to supply methamphetamine.

Boshier said the Rebels formed in Brisbane in 1969 and
became Australia's largest motorcycle club. Since 2011 they have rapidly
expanded throughout the world and established a presence in New Zealand in
January 2011. From August 2014 to June 2016, the Rebels Motorcycle Club
South City headquarters was in a warehouse in Vagues Rd. It contained a headquarters
room, accommodation, and a bar.

The bar area, main room, and accommodation had Rebels
paraphernalia such as flags, logos, drawings and insignia on display. There
were patched Rebels jackets and vests, Harley Davidson motorcycles and five
surveillance cameras with television monitor screens set up in two areas. Boshier said between March and April 2016, the four men were
either patched members or prospects of the Rebels Motorcycles South City club.

They were seen wearing Rebels regalia and associating with
known members, in Christchurch and other parts of the country. She said Clunie was the "money man" who held the
club books and chased members for money owed for club fees.

Firearms were found at the pad when the police searched the
premises.

"Gangs such as the Rebels acquire firearms for the
purpose of intimidation and protection of the gang. They are readily used by
drug dealers for their protection and standover tactics in the sale and supply
of methamphetamine and cannabis," Boshier said.

The Crown detailed the firearms – a sawn-off shotgun and
ammunition, a cutdown .308 firearm, and air rifles – found at the premises. They also found drugs, a balaclava, and text messages, which
they say include "drug talk and drug dealing", although they are
sometimes unable to say what type of drug is being supplied.

A fifth person arrested has pleaded not guilty and the case
is headed for trial.